Ask HN: How to handle gap in work experience?
Hello, I'm curious what the best way to go about a job search considering I've been 'on the sidelines' for the past year for a handful of personal reasons.
2 comments
You have to have something. Some reason.
If you have a good reason, the truth is the best. But if you were in a drug rehab facility, for example, you don't want to say that.
So if you can't say what you were doing, then you need something very believable that is not provable.
Now, of course, if you are applying for some super security job, one of the 3 letter agencies, then you just have to tell the truth and not have any spin, because they can and will do a thorough background check. But if you are applying at Pete's Auto Parts, they are not going to do that.
So, for Pete's, here's what you do:
OPTION 1:
Make up a name for a business. Rxsel Company.
Say that for the last year, you were working on your own business. You were doing research, testing prototypes, seeing if it was a viable business model. But it didn't work out. So you are now applying for employment. And, it is the truth. That's what you were doing, right?
What was the business? I don't know, whatever is of interest to you. Come up with some details. If you are like most people, you have some personal interests that you read about a lot. If you like marbles, you were going to start a virtual marble game. Or if you like furniture and read all about it, you were going to start a furniture business. Whatever you know about.
I've done this a few times, worked like a charm. I've also recommended this to others and it worked out for them as well.
OPTION 2
Or, you can always go with the "I had to help take care of my parent for the last year, they were sick. But they are ok now, so I'm looking for a job." Nobody is going to probe that too much, any interviewer is going to take that at face value.
If you have a good reason, the truth is the best. But if you were in a drug rehab facility, for example, you don't want to say that.
So if you can't say what you were doing, then you need something very believable that is not provable.
Now, of course, if you are applying for some super security job, one of the 3 letter agencies, then you just have to tell the truth and not have any spin, because they can and will do a thorough background check. But if you are applying at Pete's Auto Parts, they are not going to do that.
So, for Pete's, here's what you do:
OPTION 1:
Make up a name for a business. Rxsel Company.
Say that for the last year, you were working on your own business. You were doing research, testing prototypes, seeing if it was a viable business model. But it didn't work out. So you are now applying for employment. And, it is the truth. That's what you were doing, right?
What was the business? I don't know, whatever is of interest to you. Come up with some details. If you are like most people, you have some personal interests that you read about a lot. If you like marbles, you were going to start a virtual marble game. Or if you like furniture and read all about it, you were going to start a furniture business. Whatever you know about.
I've done this a few times, worked like a charm. I've also recommended this to others and it worked out for them as well.
OPTION 2
Or, you can always go with the "I had to help take care of my parent for the last year, they were sick. But they are ok now, so I'm looking for a job." Nobody is going to probe that too much, any interviewer is going to take that at face value.
Record your work experience on your resume accurately, and don't give any more information in interviews than you just gave us.